How much does it cost to live in Europe?

Are you considering moving to Europe? Deciding where to live can be a big call, and knowing the cost of living across Europe will help you make the right choice.

Ellie

12 minute read

·

Updated on 6 Aug 2026

Monthly living costs in Europe typically range from around €900 in affordable Eastern European cities to more than €3,000 in expensive hubs like Zurich or London, with rent usually eating up 30 to 50 percent of that budget.

Are you thinking about packing your bags and moving to Europe? You're in for an exciting journey! No matter where in Europe you decide to settle, every country has a rich history, plenty of different cultures, and lifestyles to enjoy.

To help you decide if Europe is the place for you and narrow your city choices, this guide will give you all the insights you need into the cost of living in Europe. Let's get into it!

Key takeaways

• Monthly living costs across Europe range from about €900 to €1,500 in affordable cities like Porto, Krakow, and Athens, up to €3,800 or more in Zurich.
• Rent is usually your biggest expense, so it makes sense to compare it city by city rather than relying on a single Europe-wide average.
• Students typically spend less than young professionals thanks to shared flats, dorms, and discounted transport passes, but healthcare and deposit costs can catch international students off guard.
• Utilities, healthcare, and leisure costs vary widely by country. Northern and Western Europe tend to cost more across the board, while Southern and Eastern Europe cost less.
• HousingAnywhere's Rent Index and city cost-of-living guides give you real, city-specific numbers instead of vague continent-wide estimates, which makes budgeting for your move a lot easier.

The average cost of living in Europe varies widely from country to country. Western European nations like Switzerland, Norway, and Denmark tend to be more expensive due to their strong economies and high living standards. On the other hand, Eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria offer a more affordable lifestyle without compromising on quality.

It helps to compare two cities and see how much the cost of living could vary. For example, the cost of living in London, an expensive capital city in Western Europe, is about €2,625 ($2,750) per month. Whereas cheaper cities like Porto have a lower cost of living at about €1,300 ($1,360). Both of these averages factor in the cost of renting, which is likely going to be your biggest expense, especially in more popular cities.

Your budget in Europe depends a lot on why you're moving, not just where. Students, young professionals, and families each has a different mix of costs. See your own situation reflected rather than a generic average.

Students

If you're moving for university, shared flats and student residences are usually the most affordable way in. Many cities offer discounted public transport passes and food deals specifically for students.

Budget for a health insurance premium, since most European countries require proof of coverage before you can enrol or get a residence permit, and for a one-off deposit that's often held until you move out.

Young professionals and expats

If you're relocating for work, your salary usually scales with the local cost of living, so a higher rent in a city like Berlin or Amsterdam is often offset by a higher salary.

Young professionals also tend to prioritise private apartments or studios over shared housing, and commuting patterns matter too, since your daily journey to the office can influence which neighbourhood makes financial sense.

If you're moving with a partner or planning to bring belongings from home, factor in the cost of a larger flat and higher moving expenses compared to a student's single-room budget.

Housing is usually the biggest chunk of your monthly budget. Let's break down the renting options in Europe.

Cheapest cities to rent in

If you're after affordable housing, searching homes for rent in Prague, Krakow or Athens is a great way to keep your rental budget down. You'll easily find rooms and apartments to rent here for between €400 ($420) and €800 ($840) per month. These cities offer a vibrant lifestyle with plenty of culture, amenities, and opportunities to explore without costing a fortune to live in. Utilities and bills are often cheaper in these cities, too.

Most expensive cities to rent in

On the other hand, finding homes for rent in Paris, London and Milan are known for having high rents. In London, you can pay upwards of €2,200 ($2,300) per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

These cities are global hubs for finance, fashion, and culture, which drives the demand and the prices. If you have your heart set on living in one of these cities, be prepared for higher living expenses in Europe.

Types of housing: dorms, shared flats, and private apartments

Student dorms and residence halls are usually the cheapest and simplest option, since bills, wifi, and sometimes even meal plans are bundled into one price, though rooms are smaller and privacy is limited.

Shared flats sit in the middle, letting you split rent and utilities with flatmates while still having your own room, and they're the most common choice for both students and young professionals arriving without much local network.

Private studios and apartments cost the most but give you full independence, and they tend to make more sense once you have a stable income or are moving with a partner.

Whichever option you pick, check whether utilities are included in the advertised rent.

Beyond rent, you need budget for your day-to-day spending on food, getting around, keeping the lights on, and having a life outside. This is where the cost of living in Europe varies the most from country to country.

Food and grocery costs

Food is one of ways to experience Europe's diverse cultures. Living in Europe, you don't want to (or have to) settle for cheap and bland food. European cuisines are rich in variety, so you can find a lot of cheap eats that are super tasty.

If you decide to explore rental homes in Lisbon, you'll be surrounded by affordable restaurants of local and international cuisines. If you decide to search for apartments in Athens, you can try street food like gyros or souvlaki, which can cost as little as €3 ($3.15), making it easy to eat well on a budget.

Living in countries like Portugal, Spain, or Greece will also mean you'll have plenty of fresh produce available year-round. Shopping for local produce is cheap, and the quality of ingredients in these countries is usually very high, especially if you shop in local markets.

The further north and west you head in Europe, the more expensive the food tends to be. If you decide to search homes for rent in Zurich, you'll need to keep in mind that a basic meal at a cheap restaurant can cost around €20 ($21). Groceries in these countries can also be more expensive due to higher taxes and import costs. However, higher food costs are often offset by higher salaries in these countries. It's all part of the higher cost of living in Europe in these regions.

Transportation costs

Cities like Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw offer low-cost public transportation. A monthly public transport pass in Prague costs about €22 ($23). These cities have extensive networks of buses, trams, and subways, making it easy to get around.

In many European cities, walking and cycling are also viable options. For example, find houses for rent in Amsterdam, you'll save money on transport by using the city's bike-friendly infrastructure.

If you find rental apartments in Copenhagen or London, you'll quickly realize rent is not the only pricey thing in these cities. A monthly public transport pass in London can set you back at least €180 ($188) a month, depending on what zone you live in. However, these cities often offer student discounts and have efficient services that justify the cost.

Utilities and internet costs

In Southern Europe, a single-person flat's electricity and water bill often lands around €65 to €130 a month, with heating rarely needed outside the coldest months.

Head north, a typical Dutch household pays roughly €99 to €178 a month for energy depending on household size, and German households are among the priciest in the EU for electricity due to higher taxes and grid fees layered onto the bill. Gas heating in winter can push Northern and Central European utility bills higher between November and March, while Southern European flats sometimes see the opposite pattern, with air conditioning driving up summer bills instead.

Internet is fairly consistent across the continent. Fibre broadband generally costs between €25 and €50 a month, and bundling it with a mobile SIM plan usually brings the combined cost down to around €45 to €65. If you're moving into a shared flat, ask upfront whether utilities are split evenly or metered individually, since this affects how predictable your monthly bills will be.

Entertainment and leisure costs

Socialising, eating out, gym memberships, and the occasional night out differ based on lifestyle. As a rough guide, students in major Western European cities tend to budget somewhere between €150 and €300 a month for leisure and going out, with a casual night out running €40 to €70 and a cinema ticket typically €6 to €20 depending on the country and any student discount applied. Gym memberships generally fall between €25 and €90 a month.

Southern and Eastern European cities tend to sit at the lower end of these ranges, and student ID discounts of 10 to 25 percent are common at museums, cinemas, and restaurant chains across most of the continent. Don't forget to ask before you pay! Many major museums and galleries also offer free entry, which is a good way to enjoy a city.

Most European countries require proof of health insurance before you can register your address, enrol at university, or get a residence permit, so this is a cost you need to plan for rather than an optional extra. Public healthcare systems across the EU are subsidised through taxes or social contributions rather than fully free, which usually means small co-pays for prescriptions or specialist visits alongside your monthly premium.

Costs vary a lot by country and status. In Germany, international students under 30 typically pay around €110 to €150 a month for mandatory public insurance, while private plans can start lower for younger applicants but come with fewer guarantees as you age. In the Netherlands, mandatory public insurance for working residents runs roughly €140 to €160 a month, while some international students on study-only visas can access private plans from around €40 to €60 a month instead. In Spain, private health insurance for expats commonly costs €50 to €350 a month depending on age, and many long-term residents combine access to the public system with a private plan for shorter wait times and English-speaking doctors.

As a rule of thumb, private cover across Europe tends to start from around €30 a month for younger applicants and rises with age and coverage level.

Comparing the cost of living in Europe vs the USA isn't straightforward. However, many find that living in Europe can be more affordable, especially when considering healthcare and education.

For example, healthcare in many European countries is subsidized or free, which can reduce your expenses. In contrast, healthcare costs in the USA can be quite high.

Housing can be cheaper in some European cities compared to major U.S. cities like New York or Los Angeles. However, rural areas in the U.S. might offer lower living costs than some European cities.

If affordability is your main concern, consider moving to Bulgaria, Hungary, or Portugal. In cities like Porto, you might spend around €1,400 ($1,466) monthly for all your expenses, including rent, food, and entertainment.

Finding houses to rent in Turin is another affordable option. With a rich culture and growing expat community, monthly expenses in Turin can be as low as €1,500 ($1,570).

These countries offer cheap living expenses in Europe while providing a unique cultural experience.

On the other end of the spectrum, Switzerland tops the list of the most expensive places to live in Europe. Cities like Zurich and Geneva have high costs for everything from housing to a cup of coffee.

In Zurich, monthly living expenses can easily exceed €3,800 ($4,000). High salaries in Switzerland help offset these costs, but it's something to consider if you plan a move.

Countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands offer a great balance between high salaries and reasonable living costs. If you decide to find a home to rent in Berlin, you can enjoy a high quality of life with an average cost of living of about €2,100 ($2,200) per month. Salaries are competitive, especially in industries like tech and engineering.

Similarly, you can easily locate rental flats in Vienna that're affordable while you embrace the rich cultural scene of the Austrian capital. Vienna consistently ranks high in quality of life surveys, making it an attractive option.

• Learn the local language: It can open up job opportunities and help you find better deals.
• Use public transportation: It's cheaper and often more convenient than driving.
• Shop at local markets: Fresh produce is usually cheaper and better quality.
• Consider shared housing: Renting a room or sharing an apartment can significantly reduce housing costs.
• Ask about student and youth discounts: Transport, cinema, gym, and museum discounts of 10 to 25 percent are common across Europe and add up over a semester.
• Check what's included in the rent: Utilities, wifi, and furniture bundled into one price make your monthly budget far more predictable than paying separately.

HousingAnywhere publishes the International Rent Index every quarter, tracking real rental prices across major European cities, so you can check current rent ranges for a specific city.

If you're relocating to a new country, often without the chance to view a place in person first, HousingAnywhere helps you to find your home before arriving. Every listing comes from a landlord whose identity has been checked, and HousingAnywhere's AI scam detection screens listings for red flags before they go live.

Once you book, the first month's rent is held under HousingAnywhere Tenant Protection until 48 hours after you move in, so payment is only released once you've confirmed the place matches what was advertised.

Once you have a rough monthly budget in mind, the next step is checking real listings in the cities you're considering rather than planning around continent-wide averages. Compare a couple of cities side by side, factor in whether utilities and wifi are included, and use the Rent Index or a city's dedicated cost-of-living guide to sanity-check your numbers before you sign anything.

Moving to Europe is an exciting adventure filled with new opportunities and experiences. Understanding the average cost of living in Europe will help you plan better and make the most of your time abroad. Whether you're drawn to Budapest's affordable charm or London's bustling streets, there's a European city that's perfect for you.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Europe?

It depends heavily on the city, but a comfortable single-person budget typically falls between €1,000 a month in affordable Southern or Eastern European cities and €3,000 or more in expensive Western European hubs like Zurich or London, rent included.

Which European country has the cheapest cost of living?

Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland, along with parts of Portugal and Greece in Southern Europe, are consistently among the most affordable places to live in Europe.

Is living in Europe more expensive than the US?

Not necessarily. Housing can be cheaper in many European cities than in major US cities, and subsidised healthcare in Europe often lowers overall costs compared to the US, though this varies a lot by specific city and lifestyle.

What is the cheapest city to live in Europe?

Cities in Eastern Europe like Prague, Krakow, and Warsaw, along with Southern European cities like Athens and Porto, tend to offer the lowest overall cost of living, with rent often available from €400 a month.

How does healthcare impact the cost of living in Europe for expats?

Most countries require proof of health insurance before you can register or enrol, with public insurance often costing €110 to €160 a month and private plans starting from around €30 to €50 a month depending on your age and country.

Is public transport affordable in Europe?

Yes, especially in Eastern European cities where a monthly pass can cost as little as €22, and most cities offer discounted student and youth passes on top of that.

How much does student life cost in Europe?

Including rent, food, transport, and leisure, most international students budget somewhere between €800 and €1,500 a month depending on the city, with shared housing and student discounts helping keep costs down.

What is the average rent in Europe?

Rent varies enormously, from around €400 to €800 a month for a room or apartment in cheaper Eastern European cities to over €2,200 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in London.

How do salaries compare to the cost of living in Europe?

Countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands tend to offer the best balance between competitive salaries and a manageable cost of living, while Switzerland has both the highest costs and among the highest salaries in Europe.